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3rd
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History/Description: The Pontiac G5 was a compact sedan sold by the now-extinct sporty General Motors brand. A twin of the Chevrolet Cobalt and, to some extent, the Chevrolet HHR, it came with 4-cylinder power, sporty looks, a good warranty and either a two- or four-door configuration.
Look for a 2.2L or 2.4L ECOTEC engine making 148 or 173 horsepower, respectively, and manual or automatic gearbox options for both. All units were front-wheel drive. Options and feature content included a sunroof, OnStar, Bluetooth, heated leather, a high-end Pioneer stereo, and plenty more.
Consider the G5 / Pursuit in the used market alongside models like the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Nissan Sentra. Note that despite the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand, GM sales centers will be able to service, repair and warranty used G5 models, as they're mechanically identical to the Chevrolet Cobalt.
What Owners Like: Many G5 owners have reported a pleasing balance between fuel efficiency and performance, a pleasing balance between ride comfort and sporty handling, and also above-average performance from the factory stereo system. Low noise levels, good ride quality and handling round out the package.
What Owners Dislike: Common owner complaints tend to focus on a small trunk opening, very long and awkward doors on the coupe model, limited rear-seat space, and cheap interior trim materials. Many owners also wish for a better cupholder.
Common Issues: Start your test drive with a quick check for rust, dents and the overall condition of the paint. A quick scan of the interior for broken or missing pieces, and the condition of the seats is also advised.
Next, drive the G5 at a variety of speeds on as many different road surfaces as possible with the stereo system off. Listen for popping, clunking or “binding” sounds from the front suspension as you travel over various bumps at varying angles and speeds. Any unwelcomed noises could be caused by a fairly common and well-documented issue with worn control-arm bushings or front struts.
Ensure the power steering system operates as expected, too. Any uneven feel to the power assist, for instance, could be an indicator of another well-documented problem with the G5's electric power steering system. If this fails, it will be difficult to steer the car. This problem was addressed by a recall -- and a GM dealer should be able to determine whether or not it was performed on the vehicle you're considering.
Finally, avoid any model with the manual transmission that “grinds” or “bites back” while shifting gears, as this could indicate former abuse, bad synchros or shift forks in the gearbox, or a worn out clutch.
The Verdict: Lower-than-average resale values and well-documented problems should make the G5 an appealing buy. The powertrain looks solid and reliable, and other issues should be easily identified and diagnosed by a trained GM mechanic. If you're worried about driving a car from a now-extinct brand, shop for a Chevrolet Cobalt instead.
Look for a 2.2L or 2.4L ECOTEC engine making 148 or 173 horsepower, respectively, and manual or automatic gearbox options for both. All units were front-wheel drive. Options and feature content included a sunroof, OnStar, Bluetooth, heated leather, a high-end Pioneer stereo, and plenty more.
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| Look for a 2.2L or 2.4L ECOTEC engine making 148 or 173 horsepower (Photo: Matthieu Lambert) |
Consider the G5 / Pursuit in the used market alongside models like the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Nissan Sentra. Note that despite the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand, GM sales centers will be able to service, repair and warranty used G5 models, as they're mechanically identical to the Chevrolet Cobalt.
What Owners Like: Many G5 owners have reported a pleasing balance between fuel efficiency and performance, a pleasing balance between ride comfort and sporty handling, and also above-average performance from the factory stereo system. Low noise levels, good ride quality and handling round out the package.
What Owners Dislike: Common owner complaints tend to focus on a small trunk opening, very long and awkward doors on the coupe model, limited rear-seat space, and cheap interior trim materials. Many owners also wish for a better cupholder.
Common Issues: Start your test drive with a quick check for rust, dents and the overall condition of the paint. A quick scan of the interior for broken or missing pieces, and the condition of the seats is also advised.
Next, drive the G5 at a variety of speeds on as many different road surfaces as possible with the stereo system off. Listen for popping, clunking or “binding” sounds from the front suspension as you travel over various bumps at varying angles and speeds. Any unwelcomed noises could be caused by a fairly common and well-documented issue with worn control-arm bushings or front struts.
Ensure the power steering system operates as expected, too. Any uneven feel to the power assist, for instance, could be an indicator of another well-documented problem with the G5's electric power steering system. If this fails, it will be difficult to steer the car. This problem was addressed by a recall -- and a GM dealer should be able to determine whether or not it was performed on the vehicle you're considering.
Finally, avoid any model with the manual transmission that “grinds” or “bites back” while shifting gears, as this could indicate former abuse, bad synchros or shift forks in the gearbox, or a worn out clutch.
The Verdict: Lower-than-average resale values and well-documented problems should make the G5 an appealing buy. The powertrain looks solid and reliable, and other issues should be easily identified and diagnosed by a trained GM mechanic. If you're worried about driving a car from a now-extinct brand, shop for a Chevrolet Cobalt instead.
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| Next, drive the G5 at a variety of speeds on as many different road surfaces as possible with the stereo system off.(Photo: Matthieu Lambert) |